2027: AU Commences Seven-day Preelection, Needs Assessment Mission in Nigeria

Ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general election, the African Union (AU) has initiated a seven-day pre-election and needs assessment mission in the country. Led by Demeke Hassen, a former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the mission commenced on September 13 and will conclude on September 19, 2026. The objective of the mission is to enhance Nigeria's capacity to conduct credible, transparent, peaceful, and inclusive elections.

The AU assessment will cover the entire electoral cycle, including the pre-election period, election-day operations, and the management of results. Hassen emphasized that the credibility of an election largely depends on the quality of preparations undertaken before voters arrive at polling units. The mission will also scrutinize unresolved legal and administrative issues that could impact the elections, as well as measures to safeguard INEC's institutional independence while ensuring effective coordination with security agencies.

NEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, highlighted that Nigeria's 2027 elections will require more than 1.4 million temporary election personnel. He sought the AU's assistance in digital training, e-learning programmes, simulation exercises, and standardised information and communications technology training for these ad hoc personnel. Amupitan underscored that effective preparation of election workers is crucial for maintaining consistency in the application of procedures nationwide.